It would be very appropriate for the new Airport at Mopa to be named after Goa’s first Chief Minister Dayanand Bandodkar and the Dabolim Airport after Goa’s first Leader of the Opposition, Dr Jack Sequeira.
Though Dayanand Bandodkar may have initially been for merging Goa with Maharashtra, he respected the people’s verdict and later with Dr Jack Sequeira as the fiery voice of the Opposition, they toiled with a vision and passion towards the development of Goa. Unlike many of today’s politicians who are self-centered, they had relentlessly raised and pursued issues concerning the backward, down-trodden, and neglected communities of Goa. Renowned for their integrity, honesty and commitment, we may never see again in this arena of political pygmies.
Dayanand Bandodkar and Dr Jack Sequeira dared to speak from their heart and always walked the talk. Only a few of such politicians still remain in our midst and will also always be remembered for the good they have done for Goa. It is imperative that students today in our schools and colleges be made aware of the very rich and invaluable contribution to Goa by Dayanand Bandodkar and Dr Jack Sequeira. They cannot be consigned as our forgotten heroes.
It is distressing to observe and be witness to the continuing rampant destruction and devastation of Goa. In 2012 the BJP promised a ‘Parivartan’ and ‘Ache Din’, but Goa is sadly, by the day, just getting further corroded beyond recognition. It should have been the endeavor of those in power to at least salvage and safeguard what remains of Goa. Unfortunately Goa is getting defaced at an electrifying speed. Posterity will never forgive the current rulers for their selfish and avaricious role in this irreparable damage and destruction of what was once a beautiful Goa, the Paradise of the East.
